Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics (KCEWS) provides data links that evaluate education and workforce efforts in the Commonwealth. The data driven links describe the multiple aspects of P-20 education in the Commonwealth. The data provided allows policymakers, practitioners, and the general public to make better informed decisions for the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Postsecondary Feedback Reports Profile Public Access Data File Data on Kentucky State University graduates are provided in this Excel spreadsheet, to take a deeper look into what happens to our graduates after they leave college. Each report provides in-depth data about which degrees are pursued, and completed at the university. In addition, the data file provides insight into the average wages of the graduates after graduation, through the specific degrees they possess.

The Council on Postsecondary Education assist with measuring the overall performance of institutions getting students to the finish line and completing their programs of study. The number of degrees awarded is closely related to enrollment. However, the number degrees awarded can be increased by more high school students transitioning to college and by university strategies to improve retention and time to degree. Improved performance on this measure contributes to increased educational attainment, a stronger workforce, and improved opportunity for Kentucky citizens.

In reviewing the Annual Reporting Measures over the last three years, we noticed similar results. As an EPP we maintain the exit of qualified candidates, yet we learned we need to continue the enhancement of our recruiting and retention efforts. Our programs number and completers decreased, yet this is in step with the national decrease in new teacher candidates. Our EPP program along with other offices on campus such as the Office of Institutional Research, The B.R.E.D.S Office for Enrollment and Scholarship, and Career Services and Professional Development are working tirelessly to recruit and retain more teaching candidates.

The Alumni Research Project collected a small amount of data and the information was used to make adjustments to faculty teaching practice. One such adjustment was implementing more project based learning in EDU course and another was making needed adjustments to clinical field hours and the lesson plan rubric used to assess teacher candidates learning. We will continue this practice and monitoring of the data. Since some of the adjustments were recently implemented, we will have to use the data from this year as a benchmark and compare it to the data over the next cycle.

After further review of last year’s data, we have also made some personal changes. We created and filled a new full time position, The Coordinator of Clinical Placement & Student Teaching. We created and filled, The Director of Data & Assessment position, and Assistant Professor of Education. Both the Coordinator of Clinical Placement & Student Teaching and Director of Data and Assessment position have been vital in enhancing our program. In addition, the EPP created two new courses that focused on reading, math and writing (EDU 206, and EDU 207), to prepare the students and candidates in passing the CASE exam. The creation of the courses along with online learning/practice strategies have increased